A low-to-the-ground chair can be ideal for outdoor movies, concerts, theater performances, and other events where you want to avoid blocking other people’s view. Our testers liked the comfort and back support of the GCI Outdoor Everywhere Chair, as well as the ability to adjust it to sit on uneven ground. They also appreciated its cupholder (rare in chairs of this sort) and its quick close-up-and-carry design. However, as a raft guide, I prefer what some might call “glamping” — the more comfortable, the better. (After all, I can haul anything in that raft!) So while my favorite is a camp rocking chair, I also love a good loveseat by the water or a Crazy Creek in the alpine. If you’re conscious about the environmental impact of your gear, you may want to consider chairs made from eco-friendly or sustainable materials.
When considering comfort, we looked at seatback height, width, height off the ground, materials, amount of cushion, rigidity versus flexibility, overall shape, and ergonomics. Comfort varies from person to person and depends a lot on your size, build, and mobility. While it’s a firmer choice among camp chairs, the GOBI Heat Terrain Heated Camping Chair ($179) provides a nice boost of warmth for chillier nights or for those who feel sensitive to the cold. The lower back and seat both radiate heat, and the exact temperature is controlled by the user for a toastier outdoor experience.
While you sip on your favorite beverage, the comfortable head cushion only adds to your relaxation. If you want your hands free, the side pockets work nicely to store your book, magazine or some snacks. When the fun is done, the chair easily folds up into a carry bag for easy transport and storage. If there’s anything exceptional about the Cooler Quad chair, it’s the size. With the exception of REI’s Camp Xtra, it has the undisputed largest seat of any of the camping chairs we’ve tested.
Check the weight of the camping chair, especially if you’ll be carrying it over long distances, such as from the car to a walk-in campground or from the distant parking lot to a music festival or sporting event. Lighter chairs are generally more packable and won’t add much weight to your overall gear. With as many options for folding camp chairs as there are, it’s no easy feat to wade coleman cooler through the data to find the best choice for your lifestyle. We researched for you, so you can spend less time poring over websites and more time kicking back in your new favorite chair. Perfect for kicking back after a long day on the trail, or even setting up for an afternoon concert, the Lounger DL chair was easily one of the most comfortable camping chairs we’ve tested to date.
I harp on being tall a lot in these reviews, but it’s not often that I come across a product that feels like it was built for big people. The length and width of the seat gave me plenty of space to be comfortable, and then some. We polled our crew to determine their absolute favorite camp chairs and why. We gather every year for a group campout to test a new collection of camping chairs side by side, and we use these camp chairs throughout the year, from season to season and sport to sport. While better known for its excellent coolers, Dometic has expanded its range to include smart car camping accessories, and the Go Compact Chair ($150) is no exception.
Coleman advertises this chair as having a headrest, which we think is a bit of a stretch. The back of the chair does go up behind where a head could theoretically be (based on height and posture). However, unless you hit the exact right position, the unsupported fabric does very little to hold your head up. This Coleman camping chair also did a great job staying dry when the sun came out, and I started to sweat.
Those in the market for a new chair can head our top picks of the season for side-by-side comparisons of the latest and greatest models available. If you aren’t sure what exactly it is you’re looking for in your next chair beyond carrying capacity, take a look at our buyer’s guide for more information on the state of the industry. Also, be sure to check out our top picks of the season for an in-depth comparison between the best of the best. When you’re searching for a new camp chair, sometimes you aren’t looking for the lightest possible option- you want the beefiest chair out there that can soak up as much strain as possible. Here’s a list of some of our top contenders in the durability category. For more details on what to look for in your next camp chair, head over to our buyer’s guide.
The tall back, wide seat, and subtle-yet-serviceable padding let me feel like I could really relax and forget momentarily that I was supposed to find things to criticize. There’s no reinventing the wheel here, just a few decades of practice that have culminated in a really good product. coleman camping chairs are a mainstay on camp grounds, festivals and sporting events. The Coleman name has withstood the test of time, much in the same way that their products weather yearly camping trips season after season. After so many decades of outdoor excellence, they’ve brought their A-game to this affordable and feature-rich piece of folding furniture.
At nearly 11 pounds, it’s certainly not ultralight, but it’s not unmanageable either. But for those who want a simple, hardworking, all-around camp chair, the Skyward is our go-to choice. If you’re after a novelty chair with an included cooler, you’ve found it. But if you want something comfortable enough to watch an all-day soccer tournament and durable enough to bring back every season, we don’t think this one is a winner. If you notice some mildew on your chair or happened to enjoy a particularly muddy weekend, cleaning off your camp chair is a relatively straightforward process. I’d also recommend the Cooler Quad to anyone who wants a roomier camp chair but doesn’t want to spring for the more expensive top-of-the-line models.
When not busy obsessing about gear, she can be found building an off-grid homestead in the remote mountains of Colorado. Make the most of your home away from home by choosing the best camping tent for your adventure. We found the top car camping and family camping tents for every budget and use. From packable sleeping pads to ultracomfortable air beds, we tested and found the best camping mattresses and sleeping pads to fit every adventure and budget.